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Prototype (video game) #v1
Prototype
The first-ever graphic novel based on the best-selling multiplatform Activision video game. Acclaimed writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (COUNTDOWN, FRIDAY THE 13TH, JONAH HEX) join forces with artistic powerhouse Darick Robertson (TRANSMETROPOLITAN, The Boys) for an epic graphic novel like no other. Follow New York homicide detectives as they track a serial killer unlike any they've ever faced, and enter a new era where human extinction and monstrous evolution collide!
Collects PROTOTYPE #1-6 and PROTOTYPE SPECIAL EDITION.
Collects PROTOTYPE #1-6 and PROTOTYPE SPECIAL EDITION.
163 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2010
About the author
Jimmy Palmiotti
1,722 books177 followersJames "Jimmy" Palmiotti is an American writer and inker of comic books, who also does writing for games, television and film.
Photo by Luigi Novi.
Photo by Luigi Novi.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 14, 2019
Confusing, flowing with no clear direction through different time periods and locations, not really answering questions it says it's going to answer, and overall not actually adding too much to the story from the game.
March 21, 2017
I was hoping for more Alex Mercer action, but there was not much of that... Not really what I expected and extremely gorish artwork, but it wasn't bad.
June 16, 2026
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed the Prototype comics despite not having played either of the games in more than a decade. This miniseries doesn't contain any earthshattering revelations or totally change my understanding of what happened in the story, but it does a nice job bringing me back to the feeling of the first game -- the mystery of the virus, the martial law lockdown, and the zombie-esque monsters running around New York City.
These six issues (plus a few short stories intended to showcase different artists) basically cover two main plots: First, they follow a pair of police officers as they try to survive in the opening stages of the outbreak in New York. This is the comic's opportunity to showcase the setting and characters from the game, including playable character Alex Mercer. If you want to learn more about him though, you're in the wrong place -- this is very much the story of the detectives experiencing the lockdown at the ground level, and Mercer only appears briefly (as well as on issue covers). Their story isn't anything special, and the ending is left open, but it's nice to see things from the perspective of relatively normal people.
Second, this series also traces some of the history of the virus through various government experiments over the decades, starting during the Vietnam War. I liked seeing Randall, the main military character, grow in stature over time. And the action was strong throughout. Again though, this story felt more like additional flavor -- taking me back to the feeling of the game -- than strong revelations. (But that might be because some of the revelations overlap with what you find out through the course of the game.)
In addition to generally enjoying the stories, I loved the art both in the main series and the artist-focused short stories. It's just exaggerated enough to have personality and convey emotion well, it's deliciously gory, and it's cinematic enough to be a real treat to look at. The short stories are all done in different styles, but they all look great too and capture the Prototype universe well. My only quibble would be that placement of issue covers is inconsistent -- some, but not all, covers are placed at the beginning of issues. This made for a sometimes-confusing reading flow where I wasn't sure if I was finishing an issue or not.
Overall, the Prototype comic is an easy recommendation for fans of the game as long as you don't need earthshattering revelations or recontextualizations. It looks and feels like the game and takes me back to the enjoyment of playing it.
These six issues (plus a few short stories intended to showcase different artists) basically cover two main plots: First, they follow a pair of police officers as they try to survive in the opening stages of the outbreak in New York. This is the comic's opportunity to showcase the setting and characters from the game, including playable character Alex Mercer. If you want to learn more about him though, you're in the wrong place -- this is very much the story of the detectives experiencing the lockdown at the ground level, and Mercer only appears briefly (as well as on issue covers). Their story isn't anything special, and the ending is left open, but it's nice to see things from the perspective of relatively normal people.
Second, this series also traces some of the history of the virus through various government experiments over the decades, starting during the Vietnam War. I liked seeing Randall, the main military character, grow in stature over time. And the action was strong throughout. Again though, this story felt more like additional flavor -- taking me back to the feeling of the game -- than strong revelations. (But that might be because some of the revelations overlap with what you find out through the course of the game.)
In addition to generally enjoying the stories, I loved the art both in the main series and the artist-focused short stories. It's just exaggerated enough to have personality and convey emotion well, it's deliciously gory, and it's cinematic enough to be a real treat to look at. The short stories are all done in different styles, but they all look great too and capture the Prototype universe well. My only quibble would be that placement of issue covers is inconsistent -- some, but not all, covers are placed at the beginning of issues. This made for a sometimes-confusing reading flow where I wasn't sure if I was finishing an issue or not.
Overall, the Prototype comic is an easy recommendation for fans of the game as long as you don't need earthshattering revelations or recontextualizations. It looks and feels like the game and takes me back to the enjoyment of playing it.
July 19, 2020
Now I have to play the games again. Sure, it might not be the prettiest comic and might not offer a staggering amount of insight into what led to the infection, but it's a fun story filled with visceral action, the desperate fight for survival, even a bit of love on the side. A thing to note is that Alex Mercer is features on the covers more than in the story.
Monsters are invading New York City. The army are trying to keep them under control while keeping the news from reaching the masses, but the bloody scenes soon go public. The superhuman Alex Mercer, a former Gentek subject nicknamed Zeus, is the prime suspect. Gentek has been experimenting on the human genome for decades. Blackwatch, an organization with Vietnam veteran Peter Randall at the helm, sends its mercenaries to guard the streets as martial law is initiated.
Detectives Garcia and McKlusky were investigating the gruesome scenes left behind by the monsters infecting the city. In the rapidly-expanding chaos they try to make sense of everything while being hunted by both the monsters and the so-called protectors from Blackwatch. Their investigation pretty soon changes into a fight to survive until they find a way out of the city.
Beside Mercer, Blackwatch is also looking for Elizabeth Anne Greene, an escaped infected woman they ran tests on for years. Randall lost an arm to her and is willing to kill as many people as needed to capture her, Mercer and the two detectives.
Monsters are invading New York City. The army are trying to keep them under control while keeping the news from reaching the masses, but the bloody scenes soon go public. The superhuman Alex Mercer, a former Gentek subject nicknamed Zeus, is the prime suspect. Gentek has been experimenting on the human genome for decades. Blackwatch, an organization with Vietnam veteran Peter Randall at the helm, sends its mercenaries to guard the streets as martial law is initiated.
Detectives Garcia and McKlusky were investigating the gruesome scenes left behind by the monsters infecting the city. In the rapidly-expanding chaos they try to make sense of everything while being hunted by both the monsters and the so-called protectors from Blackwatch. Their investigation pretty soon changes into a fight to survive until they find a way out of the city.
Beside Mercer, Blackwatch is also looking for Elizabeth Anne Greene, an escaped infected woman they ran tests on for years. Randall lost an arm to her and is willing to kill as many people as needed to capture her, Mercer and the two detectives.
February 15, 2025
It's really poorly written and edgy. The plot of the videogame that this comic book series is based on is not the best part of it either, but this comic book series serves zero purpose. If you thought that you will be able to know more about the protagonist, then you are out of luck. Someone thought that it is a good idea to make the story about two random cops. It could be something interesting, but the whole comic feels like it was written by edgy 14 y.o. kid. Would not recommend to read this under any circumstances.
August 25, 2023
Would have given it a single star, but the art was good so two stars it is.
This was a completely pointless comic. The story was all over the place, going back and forth between two timelines and none of them make sense or have a purpose in the end.
This was a completely pointless comic. The story was all over the place, going back and forth between two timelines and none of them make sense or have a purpose in the end.
May 25, 2012
Never heard of nor played the video game. I liked some parts of the story and I liked Darrick Robertson's art, but it reads like you'd understand the comic book stories better based on playing the game first.
July 30, 2010
Not much of a story, but it sure was gory!
February 8, 2013
Boring but it was worth my watch...
April 20, 2015
The story kinda meh... But, the artwork was gore, terrifiying and fantastic at the same time. Worth a shot.
March 30, 2016
Actual rating: 2.5
May 13, 2016
i will read a comic called prototype the novel and i will read today.
December 14, 2011
Interesting plot.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews